Sania to team with Bopanna

November 22, 2006 23:10 IST

Sania Mirza will team with Rohan Bopanna when India takes on the Chinese challenge of Mao-Xin Gong and Shuia Zhang in the Asian Hopman Cup 2006 mixed team competition, beginning in Hyderabad on Thursday.

"Sania will team with Bopanna, after Leander Paes withdrew from the tournament in view of injuries to his index finger," All India Tennis Association secretary-general Anil Khanna said.

Six teams from China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the Philippines and hosts India are taking part in the event.

Uzbekistan opted out in view of the Asian Games, Khanna said.

The winning team will get a wild card entry into the Hopman Cup tournament, to be held at Perth, Australia, from December 30.

The tournament will feature men's and women's singles matches followed by a mixed doubles.

Two groups of three teams will play a round-robin in the tournament that carries prize-money of US $70,000.